Dos’s Stat Sheet Stuffers

NBA FANTASY TOP 5 CAPTAINS

The NBA Fantasy season is in full swing, and by now you should know just how crucial selecting the right captain is!

With a whole week-long schedule of games dictating your captains final score, wacking the ‘C’ on the right player can make-or-break a weekly matchup, and define your season.

With 10+ years’ experience of being a box score fiend and more recently, a self-proclaimed NBA Fantasy guru, I’ve been called upon to give you the Top 5 stat-sheet stuffers in NBA Fantasy!

OKC-ERIOUSLY CONSIDER

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of just six teams to have the all-mighty four game schedule this week – you can check out the weekly schedule analysis by Archie here– and now have three legitimate fantasy options, with PG13 and Melo joining reigning MVP and Fantasy nutcase Russell Westbrook this offseason.

Whilst not being as prolific as his history-making MVP season, “The Brodie” is still putting up big numbers.

The trip-dub machine is averaging 20.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and a career-high 11.4 dimes across the first 9 games.

He’s also shooting a career-high clip from down town, while shooting a respectable 44.4% from the field.

The only knock on Westbrook are his turnovers, where he is currently sits third in the league.

OKC come up against the Kings, Nuggets, Clippers, and Mavs in the upcoming week and Westbrook will be huge again.

Paul George and Carmello Anthony can also be considered if you have them on board, with George the preferred option of the two.

WILL UNCLE DREW COME THROUGH?

Kyrie Irving has had a somewhat mixed beginning in the next chapter of his young career with the Boston Celtics.

Irving has steered the Celtics to an Eastern Conference leading 8-2 record, despite the horrific Gordon Hayward injury on opening night.

But statistically for us Fantasy nuts, the numbers haven’t been as impressive.

Many NBA fans may have expected a James Harden-esque influx in production from Irving following his emancipation from LeBron James, but this hasn’t been the case.

Despite the loss of Hayward and his perfectly trimmed ‘do, Irving has failed to capitalise on being ‘the man’ in NBA Fantasyland.

Instead, Irving has clearly become a leader for the youthful Celtics and increased his effort on the defensive end – he’s currently leading the league in steals with 2.6 an outing – while limiting his turnovers to a career-low rate.

Irving is still a solid option with his four-game schedule this week, but whether or not he’ll flip the switch to Fantasy ultra-premium is up in the air.

Boston take on the Hawks in Atlanta before returning home to the Garden for games against Lopez’s Lakers (que Lonzo rage), the Hornets, and the Raptors.

THINK ABOUT IT:

The four-game schedule of these guys could be worth a risk, but you might be better off with one of your three-game premium players if you can’t jump to Westbrook.

Myles Turner

The risk-reward on Turner could be huge. Even if you’re not considering the ultimate risky move and entrusting the 21-year-old as your captain, he is definitely worth a trade in this week.

The big man was a little rusty in his return though, shooting 4-14 from the field in his 24 minutes of action, but rest-assured Turner will be as solid a Fantasy option as they come going forward, should his brain remain unbruised from here on out.

On opening night Turner had 39 NBA Fantasy points against the Nets, with a 21-14-2 to go with 4 blocks. Balls out option.

*please note sarcasm, let’s not get off to the wrong start here folks.

Hasaan Whiteside

That’s right, another bloke returning from injury is on your list of players to think about.

Another HUGE risk-reward.

Whiteside returned to action against the Bulls after missing 5 games with a bone bruise in his knee, to drop 13 points, 14 rebounds and 25 Fantasy points in just 26 minutes.

His follow-up against the Nuggets wasn’t as impressive but still 17 Fantasy points in only 24 minutes, but then bounced back BIG against the Clippers, with 39 Fantasy points while lifting his playing time to 31 minutes.

Whiteside jumped out of the blocks this season with a huge 43 Fantasy pts on opening night, with 26 points, 22 rebounds and a block on efficient shooting (11/18).

In four games this year Whiteside is averaging 18.3 points, 14 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks.

Verdict? She’ll be rightside.

Devin Booker

Everyone’s favourite Sun is undoubtedly the franchise player in Phoenix, and some lofty expectations have been placed on the recently turned 21-year-old.

With Eric Bledsoe’s not so subtle tweet wanting out of Pheonix, Booker will be putting up big numbers for the foreseeable future.

THE EASY C’S

Davis has been raising…eyebrow this year, as he maintains MVP-calibre play and huge numbers despite having another all-star bigman as his back-court buddy. Even with three games Davis can be locked and loaded as a safe captain.

DeMarcus Cousins– NBA Fantasy Avg: 38.4; @IND, @TOR, @LAC.

He’s the Boogie to Davis’ Brow; Cousins has been out of this world this year. Not that surprising, considering the volatile coach-killer has every tool in the stat-stuffing toolkit aside from the ability to hit the off-switch when a foul is called against him! Boogie is averaging 28.6 PPG, 13.7 RPG, and 5.8 APG with nearly 2 blocks and 2 steals per game. Wow.

Giannis Antetokounmpo– NBA Fantasy Avg: 38.3; @CLE, @SA, LAL.

‘The Greek Freak’ has slowed down some, but not much. The very early favourite for the MVP is averaging 31 PPG, 9.9 RPG and 5 APG while notching over a steal and a block per outing. Two games played away against the Cavs and Spurs could test Antetokounmpo this week, before having an easy one at home verse the Lakers.

LeBron James– NBA Fantasy Avg: 37.6; MIL, @HOU, @DAL.

It’s official. Father time has stopped trying to catch up with LeBron James. The 32-year-old is as productive as ever, putting up a near triple double on ridiculous efficiency. Playing some point guard means his turnovers are a little higher than usual, but other than that LBJ is back at it again.

Some other names:

The Zinga! Fresh off a 40-point, 6-block, 50 Fantasy-point outing, Porzingas should light it up against these 3 opponents.

Kevin Durant: 31.3; MIA, MIN, PHI.

Ever-reliable scoring machine, Doozy will continue to pile on the points with great efficiency in the Warriors system.

James Harden: 29.7; CLE, MEM, @IND.

Harden exploded for a career-high 56 points on bonkers efficiency in the final game of the round on Monday no doubt winning some matchups. Tough one with Memphis thrown in there – the 3rd most stingy defense in the league – but it’s time to fear the beard.

Stephen Curry: 30.4; MIA, MIN, PHI.

The best shooter of all time is putting up better numbers than last year and turning the ball over less.